Public Relations PR is a multidisciplinary field that combines marketing, advertising and other communicative efforts. Generally, the goal of the public relations programs and courses is to help students understand how to assist individuals and businesses in connecting with the media, a particular market or the community-at-large.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.